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Summer Date Ideas
Easy-to-bold summer dates for two, from a park picnic to a sunset cruise.
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Summer is prime date season, or so a few writers swear. Patio season, long evenings, warm air. These ideas range from a picnic or a movie under the sky to a market stroll, kayaks, a ballgame and a sunset cruise. Some happen at home, some out on the town, and you can stretch a few into several dates by changing how you do them. Everything here assumes warm weather and a partner who's game. Hot air balloons and skydiving stay off the list.
Why these items are on the list
- Picnic in the park. Pick a shady tree, bring blankets and a Frisbee or board game.
- Backyard movie night. Projector on the house wall or a white sheet. Blankets, pillows, bug spray.
- Drive-in movie. Bring takeout to eat during one movie and a movie treat for the second.
- Movies in the park. Cities often run free summer movie nights in a local park. Check listings.
- Farmers' market stroll. Taste first, then buy ingredients for a meal you cook together later.
- Eat dinner on the patio. Look up which restaurants open their patios in summer, then work through them.
- Food tour of your town. Dr. Majestic suggests four or five restaurants you wouldn't normally try: soup, salad, shared entrée, dessert.
- Barbecue with friends. Everyone brings meat and a side. Roast marshmallows over the grill for dessert.
- Grill a full meal. Starters to dessert, all on the grill. Eat outside while the last thing finishes.
- Sunrise hike with breakfast. Choose an easy trail with an eastern view and pack a breakfast picnic for the end.
- Bike ride and ice cream. Ride a scenic route or boardwalk, then stop at a local ice cream shop.
- Water fight with squirt guns. Squirt guns, water balloons, then ice cream while you dry off. Invite another couple, if you like.
- Chalk drawing contest. Claim a driveway square each. The kids judge, and the winner picks where to go for dessert.
- Pick-your-own fruit farm. Wait until your favorite fruit is in season. Delicious, and you're outdoors.
- Stargazing away from city lights. Find a dark spot, bring a blanket, and let a stargazing app name the constellations.
- Backyard campout. Cook over a fire, play cards, go to bed early. Turn the sprinklers off first.
- Daycation at a hotel pool. See what entry options a nearby hotel offers, then spend the day pretending you're elsewhere.
- Kayak or paddleboard day. Handy if you're near a lake or river. Sunset can be peaceful and romantic.
- Catch a ballgame. Major or minor league. A Prioritized Marriage says a game ending in fireworks is even better.
- Outdoor concert. Find an act you both like, then cross your fingers it doesn't rain.
- Day trip to a small town. Pick a small town in your state you've never visited and wander its shops.
- Sunset cruise. If you're near water, consider booking one and watching the sun go down.
Keep it on your phone and cross off each date as you go, so the list gets shorter and the arguing gets easier. Share it with your partner so you can both veto.
When to use it
Use it at the start of summer, or any week you're stuck for something to do together.